QUETTA: Customs Intelligence and Investigation has expedited the efforts against smuggling and various formations have seized large quantity of smuggled goods and vehicles.
Based on specific information regarding smuggling of hashish to Punjab from Quetta received from DG I&I, Mr. Faiz Ahmad Chadhar, directions were issued by Director I&I, Quetta Mr. Choudhary Muhammad Javaid to form a special team for interception of same under the leadership of Deputy Director, Fahad Bashir. The team consisted of Intelligence Officers Hamid Habib and Muhammad Nasr Ullah along with Sepoys.
Acting on the information, staff of I&I Quetta cautioned a Honda Accord to stop near Jalogir Mor, Saray Khawaray. The driver sped away but vehicle was chased by the staff of I&I, Quetta. Seeing this, the driver left the car off the road and escaped under the cover of darkness. Vehicle was brought to Regional Office, Quetta and search led to recovery of 200 kg charas of high quality, which had been artfully concealed in various cavities. Value of recovered narcotics is Rs220 million in the international market.
In continuation with FBR’s policy of crackdown against the menace of smuggling, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Karachi (I&I Karachi) seized smuggled goods worth Rs64 million in two days.
Information was received that a particular gang would attempt to move hazardous betel nut under the garb of timber to Karachi from Baluchistan.
I&I Karachi staff stopped the suspected vehicle carrying timber at RCD Highway near Mochko. Checking led to recovery of large quantity of smuggled betel nut. The value of the seized vehicles sand betel nut comes to Rs20 million.
Moreover, staff of I&I Karachi stopped two Toyota Corolla vehicles, one at Super Highway and one at Ghaghar Phatak. Large quantity of betel nut and foreign origin gutkha were recovered from both cars. Value of seized goods and vehicles comes to Rs14 million.
Member Customs Mukarram Jah Ansari and Director General I&I Faiz Ahmed in a period of three months, the entire network has been activated.
Chairman FBR Asim Ahmed is taking interest in anti-smuggling campaigns with special focus on Quetta given the shortage of dollars in the country and increasing deficit.